How long is the ACT?

Time is your enemy on the Act, and you have to use information technology wisely. Later on all, how often do yous have a test in schoolhouse with a minute or less per question? Don't panic! Get the Act timing tips you demand to manage your pace throughout each section of the test.

How long does the ACT take?

The Act is 3 hours long (technically 2 hours and 55 minutes). Including breaks, the exam takes three hours and 30 minutes to complete. If you sign up for the optional essay (the ACT Plus Writing), the test clocks in at iii hours and 40 minutes or just over 4 hours with breaks.

Here's how your time is broken upward past section:

How many questions are on the ACT?

The Deed has a total of 215 questions with 1 optional essay. The English section has 75 questions, the math department has 60 questions and the reading and science sections both have forty questions.


Time # of questions
English 45 min 75 questions
Math 60 min lx questions
Reading 35 min xl questions
Science 35 minutes twoscore questions
Writing (Optional) 40 minutes 1 essay
TOTAL 175 minutes (215 minutes with Writing) 215 questions + 1 Essay

What Time Does the ACT Outset?

Act examination-takers are required to report to their test center by 8:00 am. The test begins after students are checked in and seated, usually past eight:30 am. Note that if you are taking the test on the computer, you may be taking the Human action at different times, including in the afternoon—be certain to look at your test ticket later you register for the Human action.

Finding the Correct Pace for Yous

Your personal pacing strategy will depend on:

  • your Deed score goals
  • what works best for you

See what's working and what's non past taking practice tests. We've got a free Deed practice exam right here. Here are some Deed timing tips to keep in mind as yous practise for your test date:

English Exam

The well-nigh of import thing is to finish. Effort finding all the easy questions (the ones you know how to do) on the English Test first. Larn more about working questions out of social club in our Deed Tips and Tricks article.

Math Examination

Spend more than fourth dimension to practice fewer questions, and you'll raise your accurateness. How do y'all know if you lot're going likewise fast? Bank check your practice tests for careless errors on questions you lot should have gotten correct. Get some Deed math practice here.

Reading Test

Practice extensively to find the footstep that works all-time for y'all on the Reading Test.

  • Some students are slow just adept readers. If you accept 35 minutes to do fewer passages, you could get all of the questions right for each passage you do.
  • Other students could take hours to work each passage and never go all the questions right. But if yous find all the questions you tin can do on each passage (and guess on the rest of the questions), yous could hit your target score.

Science Examination

The ACT scientific discipline examination may have either 6 or seven passages. Be aggressive and keep moving! Spend the fourth dimension needed to ace the easiest passages first. So move on the more difficult passages. Even on hard passages, work the the questions that look easiest first.

Writing Examination (the Essay)

Outlining your essay before yous write will keep you on track. Plus, organization is key to a great ACT writing score—you'll be doing yourself a large favor!

Think, there is no guessing penalisation on the ACT. E'er mark an reply fifty-fifty if you don't "work" the problem.

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